We Love Three Day Weekends!

Well, well, well...we have had an awesome and long three day weekend! Despite a personal and horrible situation that arose last week, we were able to have a wonderful weekend and I'm so grateful for that.

Our weekend started on Friday night by taking in a showing of 'The Hangover 2' then we continued the night with food and drinks at Buffalo Wings and Rings. I really liked the movie and it was hilarious, but can I just say...I really, really love the new menu that Buffalo Wings and Rings has! Ummmm...delicious and lots of new food options! Absolutely love it!!!

We floated the horseshoe in Canyon on Saturday and it was really nice and relaxing. The water was flowing, the majority of the time, and it wasn't freezing cold either like it usually is down there. Unfortunately, that was the only river trip we took all weekend. I meant for us to spend more than one day on the river but it just didn't seem to fit with our plans or our levels of tiredness and laziness, and to be honest, the cops were really bad this weekend and I just didn't want to chance anything. They had people pulled over left and right, and I didn't want that to happen to us.

On Sunday, we went to the Spazmatics concert! They rocked it, as always, and it was so, so, so much fun! They put on a great show and we try to catch them at least once a year. I'm definitely going to have to post pictures from the show and you all definitely have to catch a show of theirs. They're having another show at Whitewater Amphitheater in Canyon Lake during the 4th of July weekend. Even though we just saw them, I'm thinking we might have to catch another show...they're THAT much fun!

Now, today has just been pathetic. We were supposed to hit the river with some friends but decided that catching up on old episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" was much more important, and I desperately needed to go grocery shopping but that didn't happen either. My gosh, we have been so lazy today! But I guess we needed it. We've been going, going, gone and I don't think it's going to change any time soon. There's always something to do and people to see!

Time for a random thought...
I think I've watched the "Sandlot" too many times. I have this idea of a block party in my head and I feel like it still happens, just not anywhere around me or in my neighborhood. You know what I mean by a block party, right? Where you close down a street in the neighborhood, everyone comes out and we all enjoy a potluck dinner of hot dogs, hamburgers, and homemade sides and desserts; and then we don't have to drive anywhere to enjoy the fireworks for the 4th of July because they're so close it's almost like they're in our backyard. That still happens, right? I'd like to believe that it still exists. Even if it doesn't happen in my neighborhood, I'd like to think that something so simple like that still exists and one day I'll get my dream of having a neighborhood potluck block party. Now I'm laughing at myself because it sounds so stupid!!...but, I still want it!

Maybe I'll just make my own 4th of July potluck/block party in my backyard...get ready, Rick...you'll be the one doing the grilling! :)

Feeling The Need To Vent

This post is going to be a little different from my normal posts, but I'm feeling the need to vent and this is where I'm doing it. This is definitely more for my benefit than anyone else. I don't care who reads it and I don't care who sees it. It's for my benefit to unleash some hostility that I'm holding in. It's not directed towards one particular person and it's not about one particular event. What you are about to read has happened to me several times but it's happened enough now that it's really gotten to me.

**Disclaimer: This post is NOT directed at anyone in particular. If you read it, please don't take it personally or twist what I'm saying**

The Freedom of Speech is a wonderful thing, and it's something that I exercise rather frequently and freely; but, somehow, it's gotten me into trouble on numerous occasions.

I'm 25 going on 26, I'm a college graduate, I have a great job, I'm married to a great man, we hold our own very well, I definitely have babies on the mind...all in all, I'm a grown up and I don't want to deal with any kind of drama. I'm too old for it and, quite frankly, I don't have the time for it. I've even moved from the city where most of the "drama" in my life originated!

Now, with all that said, why does petty crap continue to follow me? Do I have to stop speaking my mind about absolutely everything?! Gosh...I'm not even really speaking my mind! I'm posting about upcoming events that I'm excited about, I'm posting my annoyances, I'm posting my opinions, and sometimes I'm just posting because I feel like posting. Isn't that something that everyone does? Isn't that the sole existence of Twitter and the most popular thing to do on Facebook? So, if I'm just doing the same thing that everyone else does on these social networks, why do people take offense to my posts? What is it about my posts that just makes someone think that I'm talking about them? I don't get it. I don't mention names and I don't point a finger saying "this is about that person right there --->" Facebook and Twitter statuses should not be taken seriously! Just like Facebook friends shouldn't be taken seriously! I mean, come on, I have somewhere around 450 Facebook "friends." Do you really think I'm friends with all of those people?

What I want to know is, if it's MY Twitter and if it's MY Facebook, aren't I allowed to post what I want? And, who cares what or who the hell I'm referencing?! I'm not naming anyone in any of these posts, I speak in broad terms, so, why would someone assume it's about them?

You know, I honestly don't think this has anything to do with what I'm posting, but rather about the person who's reading it. I honestly feel that if someone reads one of my statuses and genuinely feels offended by it, then that person is the guilty party. I'm just posting something that, to me, means absolutely nothing! Nothing at all! Why, why, why do people read so much into these stupid little status updates? I don't get it!!! People read these statuses, they assume I'm talking about something or someone, they play a little game of telephone (and we all know how that game ends up), and I'm the one who ends up being attacked, and I'm the one who looks like a horrible person.

I already walk on egg shells around various people in an attempt to not hurt their feelings. What else do I have to do? I grew up in a small town where everyone assumes they know everything about everyone, and you can't assume! I honestly think people look at me, think I'm mean, then read what I write and assume that I'm just talking crap about someone. That couldn't be further from the truth. I don't care that much about people that I don't talk to on a weekly/bi-weekly basis! And I don't mean Facebook chat, Twitter mentions, or by writing on your wall. If I don't make it a point to talk to you by phone, text, or email at least once a week or bi-weekly, then I really don't care all that much about you! That's not me being mean, that's me being brutally honest! As honest as I can possibly be! So, If I'm not talking to you like I mentioned above, what in the world would make you think that you're on my mind when I'm updating a stupid status or posting a tweet?! It doesn't make sense.

I'm not a horrible person. And I'm not writing "I'm not a horrible person" to make me feel better about myself or to make me think that I'm not a horrible person. I'm a good person and I know I'm a good person. I know I'm a great wife, sister, daughter, and friend. I don't wake up every morning thinking "You know what? I think I'll be as mean as I can possibly be today and I think I'll say something just to piss someone off." Really?! I'm definitely not the type of person who intentionally hurts someone's feelings. When I hurt someone's feelings then my feelings end up being hurt, and I don't like it when my feelings are hurt. I'm just not the person that people think I am and it's hurtful to me that people actually think this way about me, especially when I've never done anything to them.

I'm a huge people person and I love nothing more than to be surrounded by a huge group of friends, but I can't continuously put up with the crap that's thrown at me because someone takes what I say the wrong way. I think I've come to a crossroads where I really have to start evaluating who I let into my life and who I should keep out. To help me start this process, I have purposely blocked people on Facebook to keep them from seeing any kind of information about me, I have purposely locked my Twitter and have deleted followers whom I think may have contributed to the "drama" of my past, and I have purposely deleted phone numbers. The fact that I had to do all of this at the age of 25 is mind boggling but it is what it is, and I'm willing to do anything to keep my life simple and happy. This blog is the ONLY thing that's public but, once again, I've never spoke ill of anyone or any situation in particular within this blog, and this blog is strictly for when I need to vent about something or to document the life of my husband and myself.

I feel the need to mention this again...THIS ISN'T ABOUT ANYONE OR ANY SITUATION IN PARTICULAR! This is me being fed up with the same stuff that has happened to me several times. It's toxic and I don't want this in my life. I hope this is all as clear as glass.

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading and letting me vent. :)

Wowwwza

Geez, it's been a long twenty-something days! A lot has happened since my "Historical Week" post...shall we play catch-up?

We have been swimming, floating the river, camping, bbqing, and in between all of that, my sister graduated from A & M and my brother left for Afghanistan. It has been crazy!

Erica finally graduated from A & M University on the 13th. I'm kind of teasing about the finally part...but not really! LOL. I'm very proud of her and she makes the third child that my parents have put through college. So, as proud as I am of myself, my brother, and my sister, I'm more proud of my parents and forever thankful to have such an awesome support system.

Bradley "too rad B-Rad" recently left for Afghanistan. That last Skype video conversation was tough but I've since Skyped, talked, and emailed with him. He says things are fine and he's in an area that hasn't seen too much action within the last year. I have a feeling he'll be super bored but I'm happy about the "no action" part. I'm already looking forward to May 2012 and having him back in the States. :)

We went camping at Garner State Park this past weekend. It's something we try to do every year. Thunderstorms were predicted for our entire stay but there wasn't a drop of rain (although Rick says it started sprinkling one night). It was super hot and humid, and it's a good thing there was still enough water in the Frio Rio to keep us cool! We went with six of our closest friends and had a blast the entire time, but there's something about camping that makes you want to go home after a couple of days of living in a tent. Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun and I have a feeling we'll be doing it again soon.

This upcoming weekend is Memorial Day weekend and we all know that it serves as the "official" start to Summer. I'm sure we'll be out in the hot sun floating the river(s), bbqing, consuming a few (or many) alcoholic beverages (we always have a safe driver!), and...we're going to see the Spazmatics on Sunday night. I've seen them a couple of times before but their shows NEVER get old! There's just something so fun about rocking out with nerds to 80's and 90's music! Somehow, all is right in the universe at that point in time, LOL!

Of course, let's not forget about the real meaning of Memorial Day...to remember the fallen soldiers who gave their life to fight for our freedom. It's not like I don't know the meaning of it or I don't think that you don't know the meaning of it. I just feel obligated to mention the meaning behind the holiday anytime I talk about doing anything fun for the holiday. I blame it on Facebook! Everyone is so opinionated on Facebook (not that I'm not as well). There are just those few who always make it a point to push their views, whether political or religious, or try to make others feel like crap because of the way they live their life, what they believe in, etc. Since when did it become okay to chastise someone because of their views, beliefs, and actions? It's not cool, and I wish people would take a step back sometimes and just realize that they don't have to be so vocal with the opinions and comments. **Didn't mean to step on the Soap Box but it just kind of started pouring out...Stepping Off Now**

I would post a new recipe or decorating idea, but I just haven't had time to try anything new. I haven't even had to time to look for the hammock I so desperately want! Shoot, I'm still cleaning my house from about two weeks ago...but I'm slowly and surely getting it done. I have a feeling I'm going to have a packed house this weekend so I'm, for sure, getting it done by Friday evening! Oh, I have to give a shout out to Rick right now because he has been super helpful with cleaning the house lately. He even mopped! Something was wrong with him that day. He must have taken some kind of drug or something, LOL! Just kidding! It was nice to have his help and here's to hoping he's willing to help again...?!

Have a good rest of the week and an AWESOME Memorial Day weekend!!

Historical Week

This last week has been one of the most historical weeks of my little 25 years of life. A Royal Wedding, the death of Osama bin Laden, and Mariah Carey gave birth! Just kidding about that last one, haha!

I was kind of against the whole Royal Wedding thing from the beginning. I didn't understand why it was such a huge deal. I didn't like that news stations had a countdown for it and talked about it every damn day and I didn't like that it took front stage over other important news stories. Then...I found myself up at 5 AM, on the couch, watching the wedding on TV. I was supposed to go to a spin class but decided that the Royal Wedding was much more important than a workout. Five minutes into it and I was hooked! I fell in love with two people I didn't know anything about and had never cared about them before, EVER, and I fell in love with the idea that real fairytale princess stories do exist! I was dumbfounded and amazed. I couldn't look away. And, I hated that I had to get my butt up off the couch and get ready for work! I continued watching until I had to leave for work. When I got to work, I immediately turned on the TV and changed it to a channel that had wedding coverage. Later, I found myself researching the Royal family, Kate Middleton's family, and I even researched Princess Diana. At the end of the day, I realized that this was a big day in history even though it had nothing to do with me or my country, and I'm happy I got to see it all unfold. For me, it was really cool to see a fairytale come to life.

As if the Royal Wedding wasn't historical enough... I'm watching one of my favorite shows Sunday night, The Real Housewives of Orange County (laugh away!), and I'm checking Twitter to see what everyone is saying about the show and I see that Osama bin Laden has been killed!!! I don't know if it's wrong or right to cheer about someone's death but I couldn't have been more thrilled about it. I have friends and family whom have gone to war overseas, who are at war now, or who are about to leave for war, and for me, it was a huge milestone in history that has been a big part of my life. I'm sure that al-Qaeda will find another leader for their group and I'm sure that bin Laden's death will not come without repercussions, but I, along with many other Americans, have been waiting for this day for a really long time. Now, I guess we just sit and wait to see what happens next...

Two historical events within one week...absolutely awesome! :D